MLB teams
Gordon Edes, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Rick Porcello not focused on contract

MLB, Boston Red Sox

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Rick Porcello is adamant about not making his pending free agency a source of potential drama this spring. The topic of a possible extension is about to become off limits, the Boston Red Sox pitcher said Sunday after pitching three scoreless innings against the New York Mets.

Porcello, who is represented by Jim Murray of Excel Management, said there have been no conversations to date with the Red Sox regarding an extension. Asked if the club had made any overtures, he said no.

"Honestly, I think this could be the last time I answer that question,'' he said. "I think the focus should be on baseball and our team and what we're going to do moving forward."

Porcello signed a one-year deal with the Red Sox for $12.5 million this winter, avoiding salary arbitration. His trade to the Red Sox for outfielder Yoenis Cespedes came less than a week after Tigers president David Dombrowski said he had no plans to trade a starting pitcher, given that they were bracing to lose Max Scherzer in free agency.

Porcello, whose name had come up frequently in trade rumors in the last few seasons, said he was not surprised by the trade.

"Just being in that organization for the amount of time I was there, understanding the situation they were in and knowing that I had one year left, I figured, especially with the pitching depth they already had -- I didn't expect to get traded but at the same time I wasn't going to be surprised,'' Porcello said. "I've said this countless times: I'm very fortunate that I got traded to this team and this organization and have a chance to win again this year. That's the most important thing to me, going into a season with a club that has an opportunity to compete. It's all you can ask for."

Porcello said he is "100 percent focused" on preparing for the season.

"Whatever else happens, happens,'' he said. "Right now I'm working hard, and hopefully we'll win a championship."

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